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Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
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Dynamical Defects in Rotating Magnetic Skyrmion Lattices
S Pöllath1, J Wild1, L Heinen2
1Institut für Experimentelle Physik, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|June 6, 2017
Summary
Skyrmion lattices in chiral magnets behave like particles. Dynamic defects drive Skyrmion cluster rearrangements, confirming their particle-like nature under thermal gradients.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chiral magnets like Cu2OSeO3 host Skyrmion lattices, which can be viewed as either wave superpositions or particle-like topological objects.
- Understanding the dynamics of these Skyrmions, especially under thermal stress, is crucial for their technological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of Skyrmion lattice domain walls under thermal gradients.
- To determine whether Skyrmions behave as waves or particles during dynamic rearrangement.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Lorentz transmission electron microscopy with an inhomogeneous temperature gradient induced by illumination.
- Tracking the time evolution of Skyrmion lattice rearrangements and analyzing defect dynamics.
Main Results:
- Different regions of the Skyrmion lattice exhibited varying angular velocities under the thermal gradient.
- Domain wall rearrangement was governed by dynamic 5-7 defects forming lines, consistent with Frank's equation.
- Boundary fluctuations showed surge-like rearrangements of Skyrmion clusters driven by defects.
Conclusions:
- The observed dynamics and defect-driven rearrangements strongly support the particle-like nature of Skyrmions.
- The findings align with classical 2D Monte Carlo simulations treating Skyrmions as point particles.
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